Rwanda Mission Trip

Hello my name is Juliana Larson, I’m writing this letter to share with you about a mission trip I will be serving on in Rwanda. I will be traveling with a group of students and a few teachers to serve at the City of Joy. The City of Joy is a school in Rwanda that homes disabled and unfavored children. The staff hopes to give these children an environment of love and give them a sense of belonging, while also providing them with education to have the ability to build a future to support themselves as they enter adulthood. The students and staff attending are from our sign language class and have been requested to attend due to our capability in signing and servants hearts. We will use sign language to communicate and lift up others that are audibly impaired. This is an amazing opportunity to impact those who so desperately need it as well myself and others attending.

Since I was a little girl, I was often told that I have had a servant's heart. I didn't really know what this meant, nor know how this would apply in my life. I would give an awkward smile and just say thanks. It wasn't until I started high school that I began to question what I was going to do with my life or how I could make an impact on the world in any way. I have been told that nursing or a job in the medical field would be a great and noble profession for me since I care for people and have always been pretty bright, but nothing has ever truly grabbed my interest enough for me to take it serious. That was until I heard about the upcoming mission trip to Rwanda my teacher was taking over the summer. Originally, when the opportunity to serve was presented, I only glanced at the trip and immediately looked at the cost and thought about my already hectic lifestyle and tossed the information packet aside thinking that this was yet another trip I have to skip out on. My teacher began questioning me deeper on why I couldn't make the trip and eventually I attended the meeting but after that meeting, my thoughts only consisted of me questioning how my exterior persona reflected on my interior faith and well-being. Was I truly living a Christ-centered life if I occasionally read my Bible and went to church once a week? My progress in discipleship that I had greatly exaggerated became a wake-up call for me to allow God to pave a road for my racecar. I kept feeling God tug on my heart telling me that Rwanda was waiting for me. I decided to overlook financial barriers and trust God and what God was trying to speak over my life. In Rwanda, I have an opportunity that will not only impact me, but more importantly serve others. I can confidently say that I am genuinely excited to serve and follow God's will for my life at The City of Joy. Whatever funds I receive will solely go towards plane expenses and whatever essential resources that I must bring to support the school. I truly hope that through this wild experience that God will work His wonders through me and that I will reflect God through not only my words, but my actions. Any donation would be greatly appreciated and I will be sure to share the details of my experience afterward for any that wish to hear! Thank you so much for your consideration.

God loves you! :)